Improvement in belt-shifters



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

w. w. mama V BELT-SHIFTER.

N0.'l87,53Z. Patented Feb.20,1877

BY I ATTQBHEYS.

NA PETERS, PHOTOLITHOGMPHER, WASHINGTbN. D. C.

Z Sheetv-Sheet W. W. HUBBARD.

IBELT-SHIFTER.

Patented Feb. 20, 1877.

nummm:

momma mun N. PETERS. PNQ'lO-LITIIQGWAPHER. WASHINGTUN, D.

. r STs IMPROVEMENT IN BELT-SHIFTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 137,532, dated February 20, 1877 application filed February 3,1s77.

V of a part of my improvement.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention consists in the combination of a stationary drum, for receiving the belt from the driving-pulley, and afollower moved over the said drum b levers or suitable gearing, for forcing the belt from the drum onto the pulley, and also for removing it from the pulley.

The object of the invention is to provide a means, for shifting belts which shall obviate the difficulties'hitherto experienced in using loose pulleys or idlers with the ordinary means I for shifting.-

Referring to the drawing, A is a drivingpulley, secured to the shaft B, that is supported by hangers a. G is a section of adrum that is smaller in diameter than the pulley A, v

and is provided with the beveled flange or collar b, the outside diameter of which is the same as the pulley A, The drum G is attached to the support D, by which it is firmly held in a position concentric with the shaft B, and with its beveled flange in proximity to the pulley A. An annular follower, E, consisting of two semicircles bolted together. is placed on the drum G. Racks F G H project from the follower E through the support D, and are provided with guides c, that are supported by brackets d 0, attached to the support D.

The racks F G H are engaged by pinions I J K. The pinions I J are securedto the shaft L, which is journaled in the brackets d e, and the pinion K turns on the stud f, that projects from the bracket 0, taking its motion from the pinion J through the intermediate wheels 9 h, which revolve on studs projecting from the bracket 0. A single wheel maybe used in place of the pinionK and wheels 9 h, if desired. A handwheel, M, is secured to the lower end of the shaft L. An arm, N, having the shifting-pin 0, projects from the follower E overthe drum 0. The side of the drum 0 is cutaway at t i, and the support D is notched at j, for convenience in applying the shifter.

The operation is as follows The belt being at rest on the-drum 0, between the follower E and the shiftenpin O, the wheel M is turned, moving the follower toward the pulley A by means of the pinions and the racks. The belt is thus forced up the inclined side of the beveled collar b, and over the edge of the rotat ing pulley A. As soon as the belt begins to take motion from the pulley, it requires little or no force to carry it to itsproper place on the pulley. belt from the pulley tothe drum, the wheel M is turned in the reverse direction, and the pin 0 draws the belt from the pulley to the drum.

When narrow belts are used, a follower that partly encircles the drum may be used, and

a simple lever may be attached for moving it in place of the hand-wheel, the pinions, and the racks. A follower of this description is shown in Fig. 4.

The advantages claimed for my invention are, that loose pulleys are dispensed with, and the belt, when not doing work, is at rest and relieved from strain. The shafts that support the belt are also relieved from pressure.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A fixed drum, 0, provided witha beveled collar, b, the sliding follower E, carrying the arm N and pin 0, and the pulley A, in combination, substantially as herein shown and described. r

2. The follower E, having racks F. G H,in combination with the pinions I J K, intermediate wheels It, shaft L, and hand-wheel M, substantially; as herein shown and described.

3. The drum 0, cut away at i z, and provided with the beveled collar 12, substantially as herein shown and described.

WILLIAM W. HUBBARD. Witnesses O. L. RICHARDSON, G. H. BARTLETT.

OFFICE.-

When it is desired to shift the. 

